Book case against Akhlaq's family for killing cow: Dadri Mahapanchayat

Beef report

Book case against Akhlaq's family for killing cow: Dadri Mahapanchayat

Web Desk
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June 06, 2016

Relatives of Mohammad Akhlaq mourn after he was killed by a mob on in September 2015 | Reuters

The beef report prompted family members of those accused of killing Mohammad Akhlaq justify the murder, saying his family broke the law and insulted Hindu sentiments by killing a calf.

A group of people in Uttar Pradesh's Bisada village on Monday defied prohibitory orders to hold a 'Mahapanchayat', where they demanded cases be registered against the family of Dadri lynching victim Mohammad Akhlaq, for slaughtering a cow.

More than 50 people attended the panchayat held in response to a forensic report that said the meat recovered from Akhlaq’s fridge after the murder was beef. They also demanded the murder charges against those accused of lynching him be dropped, further inflaming communal passion in the village.

In September last year, a mob of around 100 people dragged out 52-year-old Akhlaq from his house and lynched him over rumours that he stored beef.

In an initial report then, a local government veterinarian said the flesh “looked like mutton” and not beef. However, on Tuesday a forensic lab in Mathura confirmed that the meat was from a “cow or its progeny”.

Eating beef is not illegal in Uttar Pradesh, where Dadri is located, although the slaughter of cows is banned.

The report prompted family members of those accused of killing Akhlaq justify the murder, saying his family broke the law and insulted Hindu sentiments by killing a calf.

With this, the situation in Bisada village became tense again on Monday, nearly nine months after the Dadri lynching

“We want police to register an FIR against Akhlaq’s family for slaughtering and eating a cow and change the sections of FIR against the accused from murder to culpable homicide not amounting to murder,” said Sanjay Rana, father of a suspect, was quoted as saying.

SSP Dharmendra Yadav said a case will be registered against the family only if the charge that the meat found in Akhlaq's home was beef was found to be true.

"It's a very sensitive matter. The Circle Officer, Dadri, will head a probe into the charges," he said.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had earlier this week questioned the authenticity of the forensic report and said "there was nothing objectionable in his house. Every eye is on this matter.

Everyone wants that the victim's family should get justice as murder had taken place."